Douglas County PUD Commissioners break ground on renewable hydrogen facility

by Paul Ciampoli
APPA News Director
March 13, 2021

Douglas County PUD Commissioners Aaron Viebrock, Molly Simpson and Ronald E Skagen recently moved the first shovels of dirt at the soon to be built renewable hydrogen production facility near Baker Flats, East Wenatchee.

The 5-megawatt pilot project will provide flexibility to Washington State-based Douglas PUD operations at their Wells Hydroelectric Project.

​Generation requests can be sent to the hydrogen electrolyzer to reduce the mechanical adjustments necessary at the Wells Hydroelectric Project to balance the grid, Douglas PUD noted. This will reduce the maintenance necessary on the turbine units and associated equipment.

This project has been in the works for several years with the first hurdle cleared with the passage of S.B. 5588 in 2019 authorizing PUDs to produce and sell renewable hydrogen and a $250,000 planning grant.

Site excavation started this month with anticipated delivery of the electrolyzer in July.

Connections of piping, electrical and water will follow with production of renewable hydrogen starting late this year. 

Click here for a video of the groundbreaking event.